MoniqueD

Hey everyone!!!! I wanted to share with you that I am okay. I have a rough ride. After the band removal, I developed a hematoma the size of a grapefruit. It is going down slowly. M stomach still looks to be about 5 months pregnant. I have minimal pain and am improving daily. I still am not motivated by food. I hope I can maintain my weightloss on my own.... Lots of luv and luck to everyone.

Hello Everyone! So I am you newest unbanded friend. I had the band removed yesterday, 2/9/15. I feel awful. My entire stomach hurts hella bad. I can only lay on my right side and its so unconfortable. The surgery itself was so fast, 45 minutes or so. It was the recovery that was lengthy. I had an issue with low blood pressure. I can barely move. I can barely walk unassisted. I have to grunt to move. I did manage to take a shower an hour ago. It is a good thing I removed the band. My surgeon said the band was starting to cut into my liver. This may have been the cause of the burning sensation I was constantly experiencing. That pain is gone. I feel no burning in my upper stomach or back. I did manage to eat 1/2 scrambled egg, 2 slices of bacon, 1 sausage link and licked a hashbrown. I am totally not hungry. I just need this pain to subside............

Hello Everyone, So....the results from my upper GI are in....I am having the band removed!!! I am so scared. The result were...the band is in the proper place-no slippage, no errosion. However, my stomach itself was "slow" to empty. Even with zero saline/fill in my band. It appeared extremely tight. We were able to see the flow of barium stop at my stomach. The tech said my stomach appears lazy and things should move to my intestines quicker. Dr. Im suggest removal with no additional procedure. He said I coulld end up more hurt.... I am still happy with the result...Just nervous to take it out... It will either be 2/9 or 2/18. I'm waiting on the Dr to reply to my email... Question-to those who have had it removed....Doe it hurt? Have yo regained any weight? How much can you eat now? SCARED!!!!

Exactly. We knew the risks....At least I did. Now, we need to plan a get together... Heck, it sounds like we want to eat! I'm not sure we're ready to hit the pavement. Let's plan a reconnect lunch. Just my 2.

I must say I do not have any regrets either way. I think it has been a great experience. Even with my stuck, PBing, earlier bowel issues, current tightness in the AM, and burning issues......

I do believe Kaiser is having lots of problems with us band patients. I think a lot of people are having them removed. Dr Im sounds so by the way when he said, "We could always take it out." He also said, "Let's take it out." Without even seeing me or any testing...Why are they so willing to remove these dang bands? Are the studies now that bad?

Hey Everybody! Maria~Wow, I'm so sorry. How scary? What do you mean "sensitive to foods"? Nicole~I wonder if RNY is an option for me. I failed to mention I have gained 20lbs since May 2014 (in 8 months or so). I did try for 10....but not 20! I do need to have my plan ready. I see the DR. Monday. Reggie~I sent you a message. I am a little afraid of the other procedures too. Ashley~I miss you. We need a whooping!!! Can I have wine wine mine? I called and scheduled an appointment on Monday. The Dr ordered an upper GI too. I have to call and schedule it tomorrow. I am getting scared but understand it may be best to take it out. Question??? I currently weigh 185lbs. I need to lose 15-20lbs to be back to goal. I'd be okay with the 15... Would they do a sleeve on me with so little weight to lose?

Okay....I sent my Dr an email.....The wait begins.

Hi Riley, Hi Canolie! I just went back and saw your posts. I did not receive an email notification that there were new posts. Riley, it's good to hear from you. I would love to go for a walk.... Canolie, congratulations on your new addition. Heather, congratulations to you too.....More baby power! After reading your posts, I definitely need to contact the DR.I hope I do not need it removed due to erosion..... UGH!!!!!

Hey Jes, I'm really interested in what Reggie's issues are? Reggie, girl? Where are you? I am scared to regain the weight. I might email the good Dr. tomorrow. I know I do not eat right! I eat everything! I love soups and salads the most....Sliders, I know! Unfortunately, I started in on them last year when I was tight, having stuck issues, and was very frustrated. I think I am ready to get back to business...We have to remember, we did not do this for nothing. It's a lifestyle!!!!f

How would you know if your band needs to be removed? I was banded Oct 2009. I lost 80+ lbs. I actually reached goal and decided to up my goal weight to 175lbs. My issue now is severe burning in my upper back!!!! I mean, it hurts bad! I forgot to mention, I have zero CC's in my band. I had it deflated about a year ago 9DUE TO GETTING EVERYTHING STUCK). I was frustrated and sick of getting food stuck. I have not received any fills. I have been eating okay and maintaining without any fill. I have been having the gas/indigestion issue for over a year. I have taken Pepcid and am now taking Protonix. It seems like the burning sensation is getting worse. I am afraid to remove it but will if I have to... What do you all think? Also, the Dr. indicated I could get it out if I wanted...He did not make seem like my issue was a big enough problem. I am starting to think otherwise.... Help, I'm hurting.

How would you know if your band needs to be removed? I was banded Oct 2009. I lost 80+ lbs. I actually reached goal and decided to up my goal weight to 175lbs. My issue now is severe burning in my upper back!!!! I mean, it hurts bad! I forgot to mention, I have zero CC's in my band. I had it deflated about a year ago and have not received any fills. I have been eating okay and maintaining without any fill. I have been having the gas/indigestion issue for over a year. I have taken Pepcid and am now taking Protonix. It seems like the burning sensation is getting worse. I am afraid to remove it but will if I have to... What do you all think?

Hi Reggie! Hi Ashley! Hi Heather!!! It is so good to see some activity on here. It has been so dead! Reggie~I need your telephone number ASAP. I do not have it in my phone. I need to talk to you about band removal and errosion. Please message me your infomation so I can call you. Me~I have been doing okay. My band is completely empty since (for the last year or so) I actually like it unfilled. I had reached 159lbs and did not like how skinny and sunken I was starting to look. I wanted to gain 5-7lbs back...Well...I have gained 20lbs back. I now need to lose 10 of those. I plan to get my stuff together soon. I have been experiencing a serious burning sensation in my upper stomacha and upper back. It is constant. It's there when I'm hungry or full. I have gone to my internal medicine DR and started a round of Prilosec (sp?). If this doesn't improve, I may need to see Bariatrics. Has anybody experienced this? I did see the Dr. last year who said I could always have it removed. I am not sure what to do..I just know this pain can not continue.

Thank you all for the replies. I am going to try to record my intake for the next week and definitely increase my protein intake. I have avoided Starbucks for the past 2 days. I need to focus on my am consumption. Karen, I am going to try to make my own coffee too. You are so right. It is not the same. Hazelsbliss, you are so right. I need to do everything you mentioned. I have located my binder and a really good after weightloss surgery do's/don'ts book I purchased some time ago. I need to get on it asap. I do not want to keep losing. I plan to get to the gym this week. lellow, weak as a kitten....LOL. I understand. I need help doing things I never needed help doing as a fluffier woman. I need to increase my protein and vitamins asap. I plan to go to my health food store and purchase some protein powder to add to my smoothies. Yes, that's the plan.... I'm on it!

Hello everyone. I need expert, bandster help!!! I was banded in October 2009. I can't believe it has been almost 4 years. I started at 255 and am now....drumroll please....165lbs. The it has been a real journey. This is a lot of work. I still have difficulty eating in the mornings. It's like the band needs time to relax, open up and prepare to accept food. As a result, I have fallen into a bad pattern. I am addicted to Starbucks Double Tall Carmel Macchiato's. Daily, it accounts for approx. 200calories. I tend to eat late afternoon and into the evening. I have very little appetite at all. I have to remind myself to eat or mentally check to see if I'm hungry. I can not help it. I feel ill and unable to swallow proteins early in the day. I resort to sliders daily. I love soups and salads. Many times it's what I have to eat in order to get the food down. I eat very little bread and few carbs. I need advice on changing my pattern and getting more protein in. If this makes any sense at all...I feel like I have lost muscle mass. My skin feels different. My muscles feel loose and week. How can I rebuild muscle mass? Has anyone lost too much weight? Is anyone having issues getting things stuck? How can I stop losing and work towards maintaining??? Needing your best help....